theSITREP Podcast Department of Veterans Affairs

In this episode, the SITREP asks Mike Figlioli, VFW Director of National Veterans Services, about VA disability: what is it, how to apply, and more.  To connect with the SITREP:
- Email us ideas at theSITREP@va.gov- For video podcasts, visit https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/thesitrep- Sign up for theSITREP eNewsletter at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVA/subscriber/new?topic_id=USVA_485
For additional information, on this topic, visit: https://www.va.gov/disability/
For VFW assistance, visit: https://www.vfw.org/ or https://pactactinfo.org/
To call for VFW assistance, dial: 816-756-3390 for Kansas City, VFW HQ or202-543-2239 for Mike Figlioli's office in DC
To find an accredited VSO or attorney, visit: https://www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp
For NASDVA, visit: https://nasdva.us/
For NACVSO, visit: https://www.nacvso.org/
00:00 Introduction00:37 What is VA disability?00:58 What is the process for applying?02:06 Does applying cost money?03:05 When to get help from VSO or attorney?04:37 Does a Veteran have to be a Combat Veteran for benefits?05:44 Is VA disability tax free?06:07 How can VA disability money be used?06:46 What does service-connection mean?07:25 What does presumptive condition mean?08:44 What is Intent to File?10:56 Can multiple claims be submitted in the same time period?13:19 What is a VA disability appeal?15:09 How does VA approve or deny claims?18:12 Missing evidence for a claim19:43 Does VA disability pass on to a spouse or family member?20:38 What is a NEXUS letter?21:35 Can a Veteran reapply for VA disability, even after denial?24:31 Advice regarding Statement to Support [buddy statement]25:57 What is the 5 year rule?26:25 What is the 20 year rule?27:25 Three tips for applying for VA disability30:28 Three tips for finding a good VSO32:47 Three common mistakes when submitting a claim34:57 What services do VFW Veteran Service Officers provide?37:14 Does a Veteran need to be in VFW to get help from VFW?38:12 How to connect with a VFW Veteran Service Officer?39:36 Closing

In this episode of theSITREP, Paul covers basic questions on what the Thrift Savings Plan is, when TSP started, and why military members and government employees may want to take advantage of TSP.  Paul is joined by U.S. Air Force Veteran, Mike Jerue, who serves as the Deputy Chief Investment Officer at Thrift Savings Plan.
FIVE WAYS TO CONNECT WITH theSITREP

(1) To sign-up for theSITREP email newsletter, visit: 
https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVA/subscriber/new?topic_id=USVA_485

(2) To find theSITREP’s full video library, visit:
https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/thesitrep 

(3) To listen to theSITREP audio podcasts, visit: 
https://feeds.transistor.fm/thesitrep

(4) Search “theSITREP” on your preferred search engine

(5) Email us ideas, for a future episode, at: 
theSITREP@va.gov


ADDITIONAL THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN VIDEOS

What is Thrift Savings Plan
https://youtu.be/FCH-yBjnj54

Pension vs. Thrift Savings Plan
https://youtu.be/y7XpH-LiuQk

Contributions with Thrift Savings Plan
https://youtu.be/TJL92sHspSI

Thrift Savings Plan After Government Service
https://youtu.be/POvseD-uzQI

How to Set-Up Your Thrift Savings Plan
https://youtu.be/D7ZnjN8QalA

IRA & Thrift Savings Plan Contributions
https://youtu.be/tH1_K_1a30Y

Thrift Savings Plan Beneficiaries
https://youtu.be/6i3edMV-NYw

Thrift Savings Plan Contributions After Service
https://youtu.be/pnvXW8VUzok

Roth vs. Traditional Thrift Savings Plan
https://youtu.be/CUrsC_PUgc4

IRA vs. Thrift Savings Plan
https://youtu.be/yujVYgpMwLg

403b vs. Thrift Savings Plan
https://youtu.be/mzBbKrZdqRI

Thrift Savings Plan Rollovers
https://youtu.be/HM0UBWoAw6E

Are TSP Contributions Tax Deductible
https://youtu.be/G34PTubDYVU

401k, 457 & 403b vs. Thrift Savings Plan
https://youtu.be/O0UBVWJBTLc

TSP Maximum Contributions
https://youtu.be/-8HBISieQkE

Individual Funds (G, F, C, S, I Fund) & TSP
https://youtu.be/7YfTihsggS4

TSP L Funds
https://youtu.be/_PikOiwxk_4

TSP Retirement Calculators
https://youtu.be/mLofyfzBJk0

Roth vs. Traditional Withdrawals
https://youtu.be/YELQiz7f1OM

How to Change TSP Contribution Amounts
https://youtu.be/s1rVVs5PFuc

Thrift Savings Plan Loans & Withdrawals
https://youtu.be/bxMLFWMC9jg

Age to Withdraw TSP
https://youtu.be/dkIn3jtqV-k

Thrift Savings Plan Vesting Period
https://youtu.be/5oJdlFhz0Ig

(RMDs) Required Minimum Distribution & TSP
https://youtu.be/tfKJ31aYFfw

TSP After DoD Service
https://youtu.be/F88hYzVkFdA

TSP Company Holdings
https://youtu.be/r1-h-Qpcn2g

Thrift Savings Plan DoD Rollover
https://youtu.be/FwR6bn6j7ks

How to Access Thrift Savings Plan
https://youtu.be/UyGUV5U2oOE

Retroactive Contributions to TSP
https://youtu.be/DBrisaPJ-Pc

Catch-Up Contributions with TSP
https://youtu.be/-t_oOHVTVWQ

Changing Contributions with TSP
https://youtu.be/6HL9e1iUg20

Thrift Savings Plan Mutual Funds
https://youtu.be/FcLNB16-05I


ADDITIONAL THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN LINKS

For TSP overview, visit:
https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tspbk08.pdf?TSP-BK-08 

For TSP contributions, visit:
https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tspfs07.pdf?TSP-FS-07 

For TSP L Funds, visit:
https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tsplf14.pdf?TSP-LF-14 

For TSP investment funds, visit:
https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tsppc16.pdf?TSP-PC-16 

For TSP rollovers, visit:
https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tspfs05.pdf?TSP-FS-05 

For TSP holdings of companies, visit:
https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tsplf14.pdf?TSP-LF-14 

For TSP mutual fund window, visit:
https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tspfs28.pdf?TSP-FS-28 

For TSP annuity, visit:
https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tspfs24.pdf?TSP-FS-24 

For TSP required minimum distribution (RMD), visit:
https://www.tsp.gov/taking-money-from-your-account/#req...

In this episode of the SITREP, Mike and Paul sit down with Scott Levins, Director or National Personnel Records Center, and discuss everything from how to replace a copy of your DD-214 to how many military records were destroyed during the NPRC fire in 1973.  To learn more about ordering military records, visit National Personnel Records Center.  If you or a loved one served in the military and are looking for additional information about your benefits, be sure to visit "#theSITREP" on YouTube and begin connecting with the benefits your earned and deserve!
Major questions asked during this podcast include, what is NPRC [National Personnel Records Center], what is the fastest way to get military records, how much does requesting records cost, is the process different for requesting different types of records, how to replace certificates, awards and medals, how to get a spouses DoD medical records, how to get records for a deceased Veteran, who's records were lost during the NPRC fire in 1973, how to get classified records; Special Operations Veterans, what is the fastest way to replace a DD-214, do Veterans need to request records for a VA Disability Claim, how has COVID changed operations at NPRC, are a Veteran's records public, how do I get my military records [analog or digital]?

Dr. Hassan Khalil from the Boston VA here to talk about what exactly is mesothelioma and what can they do for veterans who may have that disease.

In today's episode Dr. Andrea Ruskin explains for us when does a veteran need palliative care or when is palliative care indicated? How would one know that they’re going to need palliative care?